Building a rockery.

Building a rockery properly to look natural is hard work. Most rockeries are built on a slope to show off the rock.

Once you have chosen the site for your rockery you must choose the appropriate type of rock either sandstone or granite, imitation rocks are available from garden centres which are lighter to install. The larger the pieces of rock the more convincing the rockery will look as at least a 3rd of the rock will be buried into the slope. Ensure that the strata (natural lines of the rock) are in line with each other and that the rocks tilt slightly back into the slope.

It is best to start at the base of the slope and work upwards in layers leaving planting pockets between the rocks. Alpine plants are used to growing in small cervices amongst gravel and shale which is the environment that you are trying to create.

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